Location: Nova Scotia SPCA – Stellarton, Nova Scotia
Job Type: Full-time
Compensation: $27 per hour with consideration for experience & qualifications
Start Date: As soon as possible
The North Nova SPCA is seeking an experienced and motivated Operations Manager to provide leadership oversight of our SPCA Shelter, Tartan Tail Veterinary Hospital and overall facility operations. This position is responsible for ensuring excellence in animal care, client service, team development, financial performance, and facility operations while supporting the Nova Scotia SPCA’s mission, vision, and values.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Development
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional workplace culture across the North Nova facility.
- Provide leadership, coaching, mentorship, performance management, recruitment support, and conflict resolution for Shelter and Hospital teams.
- Develop and manage staffing schedules to ensure adequate operational coverage and service levels.
Operations Management
- Oversee daily hospital and shelter operations, ensuring efficient workflows, high standards of care, and compliance with policies, regulations, and safety requirements.
- Monitor performance, maintain operational records, support policy and procedural changes, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Ensure facilities are safe, clean, and well maintained, while collaborating with leadership to address operational and facility-related challenges.
Client & Community Relations
- Promote exceptional customer and client service and effectively manage concerns, complaints, feedback and service recovery
- Support community, donor, volunteer, outreach, marketing and public engagement initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships across the North Nova facility with staff, volunteers, veterinarians, suppliers and community partners.
Animal Care & Clinical Coordination
- Monitor animal population management, capacity, waitlists, length of stay, and overall animal outcomes.
- Coordinate veterinary service requirements and support collaboration between operational teams and veterinary professionals.
- Provide oversight and support regarding animal assessments, animal pathway planning, and related care decisions.
- Promote initiatives that improve animal outcomes and support organizational animal welfare objectives.
Financial & Business Management
- Track, monitor, and report operational and financial performance metrics while supporting labour management and corrective action planning.
- Manage inventory, purchasing, vendor relationships, and cost-control measures.
- Support revenue generation, business development, and operational improvements to enhance efficiency and performance.
Strategic Leadership
- Collaborate with medical, operational, regional, and provincial leadership teams to align operational priorities with strategic objectives.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of policies, procedures, operational standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support organizational growth, sustainability, special projects, and long-term operational success.
Thrift Store Support
- Ensure the Thrift Store team is informed of relevant facility communications and operational updates.
- Collaborate with the Thrift Store Manager to address facility concerns and provide support as needed.
Experience, Skills and Qualifications:
- Registered Veterinary Technician in good standing
- 3-5 years’ work experience in a veterinary medicine or relatable industry position.
- 1-2 years’ experience working in management or a leadership role in veterinary or related healthcare setting.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complex situations confidently.
- Practical and medical understanding of animal care.
- Demonstrated excellence and experience in multitasking and handling difficult situations.
- Demonstrated communication, collaboration, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism skills.
- Organizational skills, time and task management, and attention to detail are essential for this position.
- Professional and effective in working with a diverse team of veterinarians, RVTs, assistants, animal care, and front end staff.
- Knowledge and experience in working during stressful, emotionally charged, or high emotion situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Patient and supportive in demeanor.
- Excellent attention to detail, especially with data entry.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
What We Offer
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits after three months of employment.
- Employee Assistance Program
- RRSP matching after one year.
- Employee recognition and rewards program.
- Employee discounts on veterinary services, pet food, and Nova Scotia SPCA thrift stores.
- Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.
Physical Requirements:
- Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting of at least 40lbs, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.
- Working conditions may include working alone, working in varying animal health clinic conditions, frequent interruptions.
Hours of Work:
- Work responsibilities require a minimum of 40 hours per week plus additional overtime as required to fulfill the duties associated with the position.
- Occasional flexibility may be required.
How to Apply
Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify.
Please submit your resume and cover letter, including your salary expectations, to [email protected].
Please quote “North Nova Operations Manager” in the subject line of your email.
Pay: From $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Store discount
- Vision care
Licence/Certification:
- good standing with licensing bodies (NSVMA and EVTA) (preferred)
Work Location: In person
